[00:00:04]
>> I'D LIKE TO ASK EVERYBODY TO TAKE THEIR SEATS.
WE'LL CALL THE JUNE QUORUM COURT MEETING FOR PULASKI COUNTY TO ORDER.
[1. CALL TO ORDER]
JUSTICE STOWERS IS GOING TO GIVE US AN INVOCATION TONIGHT.JUSTICE ROBINSON IS GOING TO LEAD US IN THE PLEDGE, AND THEN WE'LL MOVE ON FROM THERE.
>> ALMIGHTY GOD, I ASK THAT YOU WOULD GRANT US WISDOM, MERCY AND GRACE THIS EVENING AS WE GO ABOUT DOING THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS.
ASK THAT YOU WOULD GIVE US SAFE TRAVELS HOME, LET EVERYTHING THAT WE DO TONIGHT BE DONE DECENTLY AND IN ORDER, AND WE PRAY THESE THINGS IN YOUR NAME. AMEN.
>> I'M GOING TO TAKE A POINT OF PERSONAL PRIVILEGE AND ASK EACH OF YOU ALL AT LEAST TONIGHT WHEN YOU SAY YOUR PRAYERS FOR YOU CLOSE YOUR EYES TO PRAY FOR THE FAMILIES OF THOSE KILLED IN FORDYCE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS.
TERRIBLE TRAGEDY. THANK GOD, IT DIDN'T OCCUR HERE IN PULASKI COUNTY.
MADAM CLERK, WHEN YOU'RE READY, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> MISS MEDLOCK. ELEVEN PRESENT, FOUR ABSENT.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MEMBERS, IN YOUR PACKAGE THIS WEEK,
[5. APPROVAL OF MINUTES]
YOU RECEIVED THE MINUTES FROM LAST MONTH'S MEETING.WHEN YOU'RE READY, I'LL ACCEPT A MOTION.
>> MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD A MOTION, YOU'VE HEARD A SECOND.
ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS FOR LAST MONTH'S MINUTES? THERE BEING NONE, MADAM CLERK, CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF LAST MONTH'S MEETING MINUTES.
I WANT TO WELCOME ALL OF OUR GUESTS TONIGHT.
IT'S NICE TO SEE ALL THOSE SEATS FILLED OUT THERE.
WHATEVER REASON YOU'RE HERE, WE'RE JUST GLAD YOU'RE HERE, ESPECIALLY TO OUR EMPLOYEES AND SOME OF OUR DIRECTORS.
[6. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Agenda Committee and Budget Committee ]
WHENEVER YOU'RE READY, PLEASE READ FOR US THE COMMITTEE REPORT.>> JUNE 25TH, 2024 TO THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE PULASKI COUNTY QUORUM COURT.
WE YOUR COMMITTEE OF THE AGENDA TO WHOM WAS REFERRED, ITEMS 24 I28, 24 I29, BEG LEAVE TO REPORT WE'VE HAD THE SAME UNDER CONSIDERATION, AND HEREWITH, RETURN THE SAME WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF DUE PASS, RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, CURTIS A. KEITH CHAIR.
JUNE 25TH, 2024 TO THE PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE PULASKI COUNTY QUORUM COURT.
WE YOUR COMMITTEE OF THE BUDGET, TO WHOM WAS REFERRED ITEMS 24 I30, BEG LEAVE TO REPORT WE'VE HAD THE SAME UNDER CONSIDERATION, AND HEREWITH RETURN THE SAME WITH A RECOMMENDATION OF DUE PASS.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED, DONNA MASSEY, CHAIR.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. MEMBERS, NEXT ON
[7. LEGISLATIVE AUDIT REPORT: Mr. Mike Hutchens, Comptroller]
OUR AGENDA IS THE LEGISLATIVE AUDIT REPORT FROM THE COMPTROLLER, MR. HUTCHENS.>> THIS IS THE AUDIT REPORT FOR 2022 LEGISLATIVE AUDIT.
USUALLY MAILS THAT OUT TO ALL.
IF YOU WANT A COPY OF IT, I CAN RUN YOU ONE OR LEGISLATIVE AUDIT HAS IT ON THEIR WEBSITE.
[00:05:01]
THE ROAD AND BRIDGE DEPARTMENT EXCEEDED THEIR APPROPRIATION FOR THAT CALENDAR YEAR.WE'VE DONE A COUPLE OF THINGS TO AVOID THAT IN THE FUTURE.
ONE, YOU HAVE A NEW PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
THE PREVIOUS ONE IS NO LONGER WITH US.
NUMBER 2, WE INSTALLED A SWITCH IN THE SYSTEM TO PICK UP WHEN A BUDGET OR LINE ITEM IS EXCEEDED.
NO TO MAKE AN EXCUSE FOR THE DEPARTMENT HEAD AT THE TIME, BUT THIS COMPANY HAD HELD THESE INVOICES AND WE DIDN'T RECEIVE THEM TILL THE 28TH OF DECEMBER THAT YEAR.
THERE WASN'T A WHOLE LOT WE WERE GOING TO DO ABOUT IT ANYWAY UNLESS Y'ALL WANTED TO COME UP HERE ON THE 29TH AND HAVE A SPECIAL MEETING.
IT WAS RECTIFIED AT THE FIRST OF THE YEAR, BUT IT WAS STILL A FINDING, AND THAT WAS OUR ONLY FINDING FOR 2022.
>> THANK YOU. DO ANY MEMBERS HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ON THAT AUDIT REPORT? JUSTICE BLACKWOOD, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR A QUESTION.
>> YES. I'D LIKE TO KNOW WHY MOST BUDGETS DON'T EXCEED AND MOST PEOPLE GET IN A LOT OF TROUBLE FOR THEIR BUDGETS EXCEEDING.
WHY WITH ROAD AND BRIDGE? WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM EXACTLY FOR THEM EXCEEDING? HOW MUCH OVER WAS IT?
>> MY SPECULATION IS THAT THE DIRECTOR AT THE TIME FLAT WASN'T PAYING ATTENTION OR HE WOULD HAVE CONTACTED THE COMPANY AND SAY, HEY, I KNOW WE'VE DONE SOME WORK WITH YOU ALL, I NEED THE INVOICES IN.
WE DIDN'T RECEIVE THE INVOICES TILL DECEMBER 28TH.
OUR CALENDAR YEAR ENDS ON THE 31ST.
>> HAVE ANY IDEA THAT THEY WERE GOING TO EXCEED THEIR BUDGET OR DID THEY LET YOU KNOW?
>> NO. WE DIDN'T KNOW. THAT WAS ANOTHER THING.
HE DIDN'T COMMUNICATE WITH US THAT THEY HAD THAT WORK OUTSTANDING.
>> YES. HE'S GONE. HE WAS LET GO SHORTLY AFTER THAT.
>> THEY'VE HIRED A NEW PERSON?
>> YES. YOU HAVE A NEW PUBLIC WORK DIRECTOR.
YOU'VE HAD A NEW PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR FOR OVER A YEAR.
>> WAS THAT THE REASON HE WAS LET GO?
>> YOU'D HAVE TO ASK THAT MAN RIGHT THERE. THAT WAS ONE OF THE REASONS.
HE OVERRAN A BUDGET BECAUSE OF A CHANGE ORDER EARLIER IN THE YEAR ON A JOB THAT WAS A LEGITIMATE CHANGE ORDER.
BUT HE NEVER ADVISED THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE THAT, HEY, WE'RE GOING TO EXCEED OUR APPROPRIATION IF WE DON'T ASK THE QUORUM COURT TO APPROPRIATE ADDITIONAL FUNDS IN THAT LINE ITEM.
THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN THE NORMAL PROCEDURE.
>> ANY OTHER QUESTIONS FOR MR. HUTCHENS? IF WE DON'T HAVE ANY UNFINISHED BUSINESS, AND THAT'LL MOVE US ON TO NEW BUSINESS.
[24-I-31 A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. JON SWANSON TO THE ROCK REGION METRO BOARD FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE FEBRUARY 28, 2026.]
MADAM CLERK, WHEN YOU'RE READY FOR US, PLEASE READ RESOLUTION 23 I31.>> RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. JOHN SWANSON TO THE ROCK REGION METRO BOARD FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE FEBRUARY 28TH, 2026.
>> MISS ROBINSON, I'LL RECOGNIZE YOU FOR A MOTION.
>> YOU'VE HEARD A MOTION, YOU'VE HEARD A SECOND FOR THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 24 I31.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. JUSTICE ROBINSON, YOU'VE PASSED YOUR RESOLUTION.
MADAM CLERK, NOW PLEASE READ FOR US, RESOLUTION 24 I32.
[24-I-32 A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. TODD LARSON TO THE PULASKI COUNTY ENERGY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT (PACE) BOARD FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE MARCH 30, 2026.]
>> A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY CONFIRMING THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. TODD LARSON TO THE PULASKI COUNTY ENERGY IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT CASE BOARD, FOR A TERM TO EXPIRE MARCH 30TH, 2026.
>> JUSTICE MEDLOCK, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THE MOTION.
[00:10:02]
>> ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON RESOLUTION 24 I32?
>> MCMULLEN. THANK YOU. I NEEDED SOME HELP.
YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR A QUESTION?
>> YES. IS MR. TODD LARSON HERE TODAY?
>> MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF RESOLUTION 24 I32.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU RECOGNIZE MISS MEDLOCK WHO IS NOW PRESENT. THANK YOU.
MEMBERS, WE'RE GOING TO MOVE THE LAST RESOLUTION TO THE BOTTOM OF THE AGENDA.
MADAM CLERK READ FOR US ORDINANCE 24 I28, PLEASE.
[24-I-28 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 23-OR-47 (2024 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE REIMBURSEMENT FUNDS FOR THE CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT.]
>> AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 23OR47 2024 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS, TO RECOGNIZE AN APPROPRIATE REIMBURSEMENT FUNDS FOR THE CRISIS STABILIZATION UNIT.
>> JUSTICE KEITH, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THAT MOTION.
>> MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION. YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND.
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING ORDINANCE 24 I28? THERE BEING NONE, MADAM CLERK, CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 24 I28.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. JUSTICE KEITH, YOU PASSED YOUR ORDINANCE 24 I28.
MADAM CLERK, PLEASE READ FOR US NOW, ORDINANCE 24 I29.
[24-I-29 AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 23-OR-47 (2024 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS) TO RECOGNIZE AND APPROPRIATE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES (TANF) GRANT FUNDS FOR THE YOUTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT.]
>> AN ORDINANCE AMENDING ORDINANCE 23OR47 2024 ANNUAL BUDGET, PULASKI COUNTY, ARKANSAS, TO RECOGNIZE AN APPROPRIATE TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES, TANF, GRANT FUNDS FOR THE YOUTH SERVICES DEPARTMENT.
>> JUSTICE MASSEY, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THAT MOTION.
>> YES. I MOVE FOR THE ADOPTION.
>> MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION, YOU'VE HEARD THE SECOND.
ARE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS ON ORDINANCE 24 I29? THERE BEING NONE, MADAM CLERK, PLEASE CALL THE ROLL FOR THE ADOPTION OF ORDINANCE 24 I29.
>> THANK YOU, MADAM CLERK. JUSTICE MASSEY, YOU PASS YOUR ORDINANCE 24 I29.
MEMBERS, ORDINANCE 24 I30 HAS BEEN PULLED BY THE BUDGET COMMITTEE AND WAS BEING RETURNED TO THE COMMITTEE FOR FURTHER CONSIDERATION.
MADAM CLERK, WILL YOU NOW READ FOR US RESOLUTION 24 I33?
[24-I-33 A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY TO SUPPORT PERMANENT CEASEFIRE AND PREVENT FURTHER LOSS OF HUMAN LIFE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.]
>> A RESOLUTION OF THE QUORUM COURT OF PULASKI COUNTY TO SUPPORT PERMANENT CEASEFIRE AND PREVENT FURTHER LOSS OF HUMAN LIFE IN THE MIDDLE EAST.
>> MASSEY, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THE MOTION?
>> YES. I MOVE FOR THE ADOPTION.
>> MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD A MOTION, YOU'VE HEARD A SECOND.
ARE THERE QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? MR. STOWERS, YOU'RE RECOGNIZED FOR THE QUESTION OR COMMENT.
>> THANK YOU, SIR. GIVEN THAT THIS ITEM DID NOT GO THROUGH THE COMMITTEE PROCESS FOR DEBATE AND CONSIDERATION, I WANT TO MAKE A MOTION THAT WE REFER 24 I33 BACK TO THE AGENDA COMMITTEE SO WE CAN HAVE THAT DEBATE, CONVERSATION AND DIALOGUE.
>> MEMBERS, YOU'VE HEARD THE MOTION TO SEND THE RESOLUTION, PARDON ME, BACK TO THE COMMITTEE FOR DISCUSSION.
[00:15:05]
ARE THERE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS REGARDING THE MOTION TO SEND IT BACK TO THE COMMITTEE? ALL THE ROLL ON THE MOTION TO RETURN RESOLUTION 24 I33 TO THE AGENDA COMMITTEE.>> JUSTICE STOWERS, YOU PASSED YOUR MOTION TO REDIRECT THE RESOLUTION BACK TO THE COMMITTEE.
THAT TAKES CARE OF OUR BUSINESS.
MEMBERS, WE HAVE ANY ANNOUNCEMENTS FROM THE QUORUM COURT? EVERYBODY'S IN THE SUMMER.
I DO HAVE A COUPLE OF REQUESTS FOR PUBLIC COMMENT.
[Public Comment ]
I'LL REMIND YOU THAT PUBLIC COMMENT IS AN OPPORTUNITY FOR OUR CONSTITUENTS TO ENGAGE THE ELECTED OFFICIALS.I DO ASK THAT YOU KEEP YOUR COMMENTS PROFESSIONAL AND RESPECTFUL.
>> MISS GREY YOU'LL SAY YOUR NAME FOR THE RECORD, PLEASE.
I SHOULD HAVE ALSO SAID, NORMALLY, WHAT WE HAVE IS THREE MINUTES ALLOWED FOR PUBLIC COMMENTS. THANK YOU.
I COME HERE BEFORE YOU AS AN EDUCATOR, AS AN ORGANIZER, WHO HAS BEEN WORKING ON CREATING A LASTING PEACE IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE FOR ALMOST A DECADE.
WHAT MY COMMENTS HOPE TO INSPIRE YOU ALL ARE THESE CONVERSATIONS THAT YOU WILL THEN BRING INTO COMMITTEE AND BRING THE VOICES OF THE PEOPLE OF PULASKI COUNTY WITH YOU INTO YOUR MEETING.
LIKE MANY AMERICAN JEWS AND MUSLIMS, I HAVE LOST LOVED ONES SINCE OCTOBER 7TH, ISRAELI AND PALESTINIAN.
EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN WHO ARE MOTHERS, DAUGHTERS, ACTIVISTS, AND PEACEMAKERS.
THIS WAR IS NOT ABSTRACT FOR ME.
IN MY TRADITION, AFTER DEATH, MOURNERS SIT SHIVA FOR SEVEN DAYS.
THE MOURNER IS FORBIDDEN TO COOK, TO WASH, TO CARE FOR THEIR DAILY WELL BEING.
OUR TRADITION SAYS SHIVA IS NOT A TIME FOR ANYTHING AT ALL.
YET, HOW CAN I MOURN WHEN THE UNITED STATES AND ISRAELI GOVERNMENTS HAVE WEAPONIZED MY JEWISH GRIEF TO JUSTIFY MASS VIOLENCE DIRECTED AGAINST THE INNOCENT PEOPLE OF GAZA? LET ME BE CLEAR. I LOVE MY PEOPLE, AND I WANT NOTHING MORE THAN FOR EVERY JEWISH PERSON FROM ARKANSAS TO ISRAEL TO FEEL SAFE AND WHOLE.
IT IS A MYTH THAT ONE NEEDS TO CHOOSE BETWEEN JEWISH SAFETY AND PALESTINIAN SAFETY.
JEWISH PEOPLE CAN ONLY BE FREE IF PALESTINIANS ARE FREE TOO.
I PROMISE YOU VENGEANCE WILL NOT BRING BACK THE DEAD.
THE HOLY LAND OF JEWS, MUSLIMS AND CHRISTIANS CANNOT BE BUILT ON THE GRAVES OF CHILDREN.
TONIGHT, CITIZENS OF PULASKI COUNTY ARE RESOLUTE IN OUR COMMITMENT TO CALLING FOR A PERMANENT CEASEFIRE, A RELEASE OF ALL HOSTAGES, AND PROTECTION FOR PEOPLE BOTH IN THE LAND OF ISRAEL AND PALESTINE AND HERE IN PULASKI COUNTY.
WE ALL DESERVE A PLACE TO LIVE AND THRIVE REGARDLESS OF FAITH, RACE, BACKGROUND.
WE ALL DESERVE TO BE FREE FROM ISLAMOPHOBIA AND ANTI SEMITISM.
YOU ALL HAVE THE POWER TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARDS A JUST AND ENDURING PEACE.
AS OF THIS MONTH, REPORTS HAVE 38,151 PALESTINIANS DEAD.
IF WE WERE COLLECTIVELY TO SIT SHIVA FOR SEVEN DAYS FOR EACH LIFE LOST, WE WOULD BE MOURNING FOR THE NEXT 731 YEARS.
I ASK YOU SUPPORT AN END TO THIS DEATH AND HOPE FOR A BETTER FUTURE. THANK YOU.
[00:20:02]
>> THANK YOU, MISS GREY. NEXT WE HAVE DR. ALI KHAN.
>> THANK YOU. MY NAME IS ALI KHAN, AND I LIVE IN DISTRICT 7 OF PULASKI COUNTY.
I BELIEVE REPRESENTED BY YOU. ZIP CODE 72211.
I JUST HOPE WHEN YOU TAKE THIS BACK TO THE COMMITTEE THAT YOU WOULD LET GOD AND YOUR FAITH GUIDE YOU IN MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION.
ALTHOUGH I WAS RAISED A MUSLIM, I WAS EDUCATED FOR 12 YEARS BY DEVOUT CHRISTIAN TEACHERS WITH VALUES OF THEIR FAITH AND A LOVING GOD THAT HONORS THE PEACEMAKERS.
I'M ALSO A PHYSICIAN HERE IN LITTLE ROCK, NOT FAR FROM HERE IN A HOSPITAL.
I'VE WORKED HERE FOR NINE YEARS.
I HAVE TREATED HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF LITTLE ROCK CITIZENS, PULASKI COUNTY RESIDENTS, AND ARKANSAS CITIZENS.
MY PATIENTS HAVE TRUSTED ME WITH THEIR CARE, THEIR HEALTH, THEIR LIVES, AND THOSE OF THEIR LOVED ONES.
SOME OF YOU HERE KNOW ME AS YOUR DOCTOR.
JUST TWO DAYS AGO, ANOTHER DR. HANAL [INAUDIBLE], HEAD OF THE EMERGENCY AND AMBULANCE SERVICES AT HEALTH CLINIC IN GAZA, BECAME THE 500TH HEALTH CARE WORKER TO BE KILLED IN THIS WAR ON GAZA.
THERE IS WIDESPREAD FAMINE, THE FASTEST DETERIORATION IN THE HEALTH OF CHILDREN IN MODERN HUMANITY, IN MODERN WARFARE.
THERE IS ONLY ONE HOSPITAL LEFT OUT OF 35 HOSPITALS THAT IS FUNCTIONING.
YESTERDAY AFTERNOON, EVEN A FIELD HOSPITAL BUILT OF TENTS WAS BOMBED.
I KNOW OF A PATIENT, A LITTLE ROCK RESIDENT WHO LOST 17 MEMBERS OF THEIR FAMILY.
THIS DIRECTLY AFFECTS LITTLE ROCK CITIZENS.
I HAVE PATIENTS WHO ARE TOO DEPRESSED TO RECOUNT THE HORRORS THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS ARE GOING THROUGH CURRENTLY.
HOSPITAL STAFF AND MEDICAL WORKERS ARE ROUTINELY ABDUCTED FOLLOWING RAIDS ON HOSPITALS.
SOME RELEASED HEALTH WORKERS WERE SUBJECTED TO TORTURE AND OTHER FORMS OF ILL TREATMENT IN CUSTODY.
TWO PALESTINIAN DOCTORS, DR. [INAUDIBLE] OF [INAUDIBLE] HOSPITAL, AND DR. [INAUDIBLE] OF [INAUDIBLE] [INAUDIBLE] HOSPITAL, DIED IN DETENTION AS A RESULT OF TORTURE AND ILL TREATMENT.
I WOULD NOT WANT TO BE A DOCTOR IN A HOSPITAL THAT WOULD BE BOMBED OR A CLINIC THAT WOULD BE RAISED FROM THE SKY.
I DO NOT WANT OUR TAXPAYER MONEY, MY MONEY, TO PAY FOR THESE BOMBS EITHER.
REMEMBER, GAZA IS THE SIZE OF LITTLE ROCK AND HAS SUSTAINED MORE THAN 70,000 TONS OF TNT, WHICH IS MORE THAN WHAT WE USED IN ALL OF SECOND WORLD WAR.
AT THE END OF THIS MEETING, FOUR MOTHERS AND 10 CHILDREN WOULD HAVE ALREADY DIED AT THE END OF MY SPEECH.
I WILL NOT RECOUNT FURTHER THE HORRORS OF WAR, BUT I WILL ASK YOU THIS.
WHEN YOU GO TO COMMITTEE, THINK ABOUT THIS.
WOULD YOU GO TO A HOSPITAL OR WHEN YOU GO TO A HOSPITAL OR A CLINIC TO SEE A NURSE OR A NURSE PRACTITIONER OR PHYSICIAN, YOU'RE IN NEED OF COMFORT, YOU'RE IN NEED OF CARE, YOU'RE IN NEED OF MEDICAL ATTENTION.
WOULD YOU WANT TO BE A PATIENT IN GAZA NOW? WOULD YOU WANT TO BE A NURSE OR A DOCTOR IN GAZA NOW? IF NOT, THEN WHY DOESN'T YOUR FAITH GUIDE YOU TO STAND UP FOR THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE NO SAY? IT AFFECTS US, LITTLE ROCK CITIZENS.
LOOK WITHIN YOU AT YOUR FAITH SYSTEM.
THERE IS ONLY ONE TRUE ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION OF HOW YOU SHOULD VOTE ON THIS WHEN YOU DISCUSS THIS IN THE COMMITTEE AND YOU KNOW IT IN YOUR HEARTS. GOD BE WITH YOU.
[INAUDIBLE]. I HOPE I SAID THAT RIGHT, SIR.
>> THANK YOU FOR THE OPPORTUNITY.
I GUESS EVERYBODY OVER HERE IS A JUDGE.
THIS IS MY FIRST TIME OVER HERE, SO I SHOULD BE VERY RESPECTFUL THE WAY I SAY IT, I GUESS.
>> WE'RE JUSTICE. IT'S A DIFFERENCE.
>> YES, MA'AM. IT'S MY FIRST TIME OVER HERE.
>> MY NAME IS [INAUDIBLE] [INAUDIBLE].
I'M A PHYSICIAN, MYSELF, AND I'M A HEMATOLOGIST ONCOLOGIST BY SPECIALTY.
I'VE BEEN IN ARKANSAS FOR ABOUT 20 PLUS YEARS, ABOUT HALF MY AGE AND BEEN SERVING JEFFERSON COUNTY, ALL THESE YEARS WITH THE JEFFERSON REGIONAL HOSPITAL, BUT I LIVE OVER HERE.
MY YOUNGEST ONE IS A 10-YEAR-OLD, WHO WAS A LATE BIRTH.
I'M HERE TODAY ON BEHALF OF MY COMMUNITY, BUT ACTUALLY ON BEHALF OF THE LITTLE ROCK COMMUNITY AT LARGE, FOR DIFFERENT REASONS.
ONE IS, I'M NOT HERE TO TALK TO YOU ABOUT WHAT SHOULD BE THE POLITICAL SOLUTION OF THIS MESS OVER THERE.
WHETHER A TWO STATE SOLUTION IS THE RIGHT THING OR THIS OR THAT,
[00:25:02]
THAT IS UP TO THE BIG BOYS TO DECIDE IN WASHINGTON AND BEYOND AND ALL THAT.I'M ALSO NOT HERE TO TALK ABOUT WHO WAS AT FAULT IN HURTING EACH OTHER.
WHETHER IT WAS THE OCTOBER 7TH LAST YEAR'S ATTACKS FROM [INAUDIBLE] THAT KILLED, ABDUCTED SOME ALL THAT, OR WHETHER IT STARTED BACK IN 1947, '48 AND ALL THIS THINGS STARTED AFTER THE SECOND WORLD WAR.
I'M ALSO NOT HERE TO TELL YOU WHAT BIBLE, KORAN, OR TORAH WOULD TEACH US ALL IN TERMS OF HUMANITY, LOVE, CARE, RESPECT FOR EACH OTHER.
WE ALL KNOW THAT. THAT'S NOT SOMETHING THAT I WANT TO PREACH OVER HERE.
I'M ALSO NOT HERE TO TELL YOU THAT ALL THESE YEARS THROUGHOUT THE INDEPENDENCE OF THIS NATION, LOTS AND LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES, INCLUDING MARTIN LUTHER KING AND OTHERS FOR THE RESPECT AND INTEGRITY OF PEOPLE OF THIS REGION.
THE ONLY REASON I'M HERE TODAY IS FOR YOU TO REFLECT UPON YOURSELF AS A PARENT, AS A GRANDPARENT OR SOMEONE WHO HAS PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS AS A KID.
IF YOU WANT TO CLOSE YOUR EYES FOR JUST A SECOND AND THINK ABOUT IT, HOW MANY OF US WOULD ALLOW ANY ONE OUR LOVED ONES TO JUST DIE AND AS A COLLATERAL DAMAGE? DO WE ALLOW THAT FOR OUR KIDS? IF THERE'S A SHOOTER IN THE SCHOOL WHERE OUR KIDS GO TO, MY SON GOES TO PA.
IF THERE IS A KID OVER THERE AND THE POLICE TRIES TO GO IN TO GET RID OF THAT MAN, WOULD I BE ACCEPTING THIS THAT THEY OPENED FIRE ON ALL THE KIDS AND ONE OF MY DEAD KID IS MY KID? WOULD YOU ALLOW THAT TO YOUR CHILD? IF THE ANSWER IS YES, THEN LET IT HAPPEN OVER THERE.
BUT IF THE ANSWER IS NO FOR YOUR FAMILY, AM I OVER TIME?
>> YOU'RE OUT OF TIME, BUT JUST FINISH YOUR SENTENCE.
>> IF YOU DON'T ALLOW THAT TO YOUR FAMILY, HOW CAN WE ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN OVER THERE? YES, WHEN YOU GO BACK TO THE COMMITTEE, JUST ASK THAT QUESTION TO YOURSELF.
IT IS EASY TO FEEL DIFFERENT ABOUT PEOPLE, THERE ARE LOTS OF MEDICAL STUDIES ABOUT IT.
WHEN WE DEMONIZE SOME PEOPLE, IT IS VERY EASY TO SAY, YOU DON'T DESERVE WHAT WE DESERVE.
WE CANNOT LET THAT HAPPEN BECAUSE WE HAVE COME A LONG WAY HERE.
THEREFORE, IN MY PROFESSION, WHEN I TAKE AN OATH TO TAKE CARE OF EVERY PATIENT IRRESPECTIVE OF THEIR RACE, RELIGION, OR ANYTHING, WHY CAN EACH ONE OF US? WHY DO I HAVE TO TAKE THAT OATH? WHY CAN'T BE ALL OF YOU AND ALL OF US OVER HERE TO TAKE THE SAME OATH? THEREFORE, MY PAIN, MY BLOOD, MY SUFFERING, MY LIMB IS NO DIFFERENT FROM THEIR LIMBS, THEIR PAIN OR THEIR BLOOD. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
>> YOU FORGOT THE GREATEST VIRTUE OF ALL, AND THAT'S FORGIVENESS.
THAT'S WHAT WE'RE ALL CALLED TO DO.
MEMBERS THAT CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC COMMENT.
WITHOUT OBJECTION, WE'RE ADJOURNED. [NOISE]
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.